restitution

[res-ti-too-shuhn, -tyoo-]

noun

1. reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification.

   Synonyms: repayment, satisfaction, requital, compensation, amends, recompense

2. the restoration of property or rights previously taken away, conveyed, or surrendered.

3. restoration to the former or original state or position.

4. Physics.,  the return to an original physical condition, especially after elastic deformation.

restitution

/ ˌrɛstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving back something that has been lost or stolen

2. law the act of compensating for loss or injury by reverting as far as possible to the position before such injury occurred

3. the return of an object or system to its original state, esp a restoration of shape after elastic deformation

Other Word Forms

• restitutive adjective
• restitutory adjective
• nonrestitution noun
• unrestitutive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restitution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English restitucioun, from Old French restitution, restitucion, from Latin restitūtiōn- (stem of restitūtiō ) “a rebuilding, restoration,” equivalent to restitūt(us) + -iōn-. See restitute, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of restitution¹

C13: from Latin rēstitūtiō , from rēstituere to rebuild, from _re- + statuere to set up

Synonym Study

See redress.

Example Sentences

But the amounts that Javice and Amar already owe the bank and the federal government in restitution are well in excess of their existing wealth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He made restitution for the full amount, court records show.

Read more on Salon

He noted that while many residents of the city "don't care" about the restitution conversation, the museum still offered something valuable.

Read more on BBC

She has long been a supporter of West African art restitution.

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In postapartheid South Africa, land restitution, often with public funds and land, “contributed to restoration and reconciliation.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• indemnity 
• payment 
• rebate 
• redress 
• refund 
• reimbursement 
• reparation 
• restoration 

When To Use

What does restitution mean?

Restitution is payment or some other form of compensation that is given to make up for loss, damage, or injury that has been caused.Restitution can also refer to the act or process of compensating someone in this way.The point of restitution is to return what has been lost or stolen or to repair the damage or injury that has been done so that things can be returned to how they originally were or as close as possible.The word is especially used in a legal context to refer to compensation that is required by someone who has caused loss, damage, or injury as part of a crime. Restitution often involves monetary payments, but it can involve other forms of compensation.Example: The defendant was ordered to pay $1 million dollars in restitution to compensate for injuries and property damage.